The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1887-10-06

oEMLUC/US fAIfCHyk6. Gen ITay, Iuomas
G. Stewart, Pennsylvania; John Thacher,
Connecticut; James E. Stewart, OHIO; f.
Henry jerks, Rhode Island The annual
address of the com mmande--in-chlef, which Is
very long, was then presented
The general began by sending greetings to the
people of the Pacific coast for the hospitality
and cordial reception of last year he sincerely
congratulated the order that they were per,
mitted to gather in this great metropolis, ana
thanked the citizens of st. Louis for their gen.
erous welcome He was pleased to announce
the evidence of permanent and healthy growth
of the Grand Army of the Republic and OF the
strong love of the order entertained by the loyal
people of this country. That this may continue
he earnestly cautioned every member That ne
keep watchful guard over himself when ne
acts or speaks as member Of the G A. Il and
not unconsciously further schemes Foreign TO
the legitimate purposes or the organlzatlon.
Article 9. forbidding the use of the organization
for partisan purposes had so far as he knew,
been strictly obeyed in letter and spirit. From
Adjutant General Grays report ne learned
that the total number of members borne
on the rolls of the order at the last national
encampment was 376. 495. The number re-
ported June 80. 1877. was 372,674; actual gain
in five years. 46 157 The increase of members
In ninety days ending June 30, 1887. in good
standing, was IL, GIG. In 1880 there were Co.
634 members In the lasi 81 fVe S.Ia quarters % t7ere
355. There were reported June 80, 1887. In
good standing 326. 562: suspended, 26.22O: by
borne upon the rolls, 372.674-an increase in
membership that must be gratifying to all mem
bers. The amount reported expended in charity
934 43 This money was disbursed TO 1870
comrades and their families. and 1893 others
were assisted. giving 26.6O6 individuals
had established the provisional departments OF
Idaho and Arizona. During the year death mad
claimed 3.4O6 member He selected for special
Tested his love not only in words. but by active
pu Slic and private efforts. DID any poor,
maimed, helpless veteran need an advocate, did
the Grand Army need defender, his was the
first name that came to the lips and he was
never appealed to in vain. The patent for the
Grand Army badge had been duly transferred
ci Of administration has invested $40, 600 Of the
surplus funds Of the order in bonds OF the United
States.
MEMORIAL DAY
this wear than ever before. Phis day, sacred to
the memory of the fallen defenders OF the re-
public has become a most impressive and iu-
eeiyed by him from Joseph W. Drexel offering
in perpetuity the cottage on Mount Mcdregor In
which Gen. U. 8. Grant spent his last days, to
the survivors of these gallant men who saved
the country: the only conditions being that the
cottage and surrounding grounds be held in
trust bv the commander-in-chief OF the Grand
Army of the Republic. the president OF the
Mount McGreeor Railway company and another
to be named by the donor. Gen. fairch1ld
recommended that it be referred to the incoming
on satisfactory arrangements In September
Last, when the citizens of Charleston, 8. G..
were suffering from the effects OF terrible
lief lie. in company with Adjt Gen. Gray.
went to the stricken city and called upon the
comrades to raise money for relief. Collections
national headquarters Tt was understood that
there was no immediate haste and before the
collections had gotten fai ly under way the
mayor of Charleston telegraphed headquarters
that no further relief would be required. Had
the needs of Charleston required it he felt
assured that 100000 could have been
raised WITHIN another month Many posts had
simultaneously received the call for aid
and tine order to suspend operations. He rec
commended the appointment at once OF a compe-
tent comrade to write history of the organiza-
ton, and suggested that the general government
will include in the next decennial census an
enumeration of the soldiers OF the late war OF
ing that the practice Of moving the national head
quarters to the place where the commAnder-tn-
chief resides is becoming tmpractIcable, owing to
recommends that the national headquarters be
located at some central point, and that an as
aistant adju ant general be pul In charge.
IN THE MATTER OF PENSIONS
it has been an aim OF the order to have congress
grant relief OF the pressing needs OF the COM
rades. The goyernment has responded IN many
on state legislation, and state soldiers and or
phan homes and laws for temporary relief OF In
digent soldiers and their families have been
the Grand Army Of the Republic lived-this
more than all else has eDnObied Its Hfe-fOr this
purpose the Grand Army will in the future give
fIs earnest endeavOrs and by reason OF It's per-
sistcpt endeavors it will be remembered The
Grand Army. with the approval OF the people In
general have enlisted in this cause. Men OF all
shades of political belief have been foremost In
these Efforts and never until this year has 1t en-
tered the mind Of any well informed man to
charge that this zeal in behalf OF our needy CON- ON
Grand Army Of the Republic will! never consent
that this question Of pensions shall be classed
among those which men commonly call partisan.
1t has been for manv years discussed Dy post,
Department and national encampments. Reso-
iutions and addresses have been adopted
conaress. The efforts Of the newspapers Of the
country have been enlisted and with . few ex-
ceptions they have heretofore been In full accord
opinion or change OF method in the ranks Of the
Grand Army members. They have been of one
mind in considering It but simple justice that
the United States should at least grant PEN
sion of not less than $12 per month to Al per-
sons who served three months Or more n the
during the war of the rebellion and who have
been hon orably discharged ana who are
now or who may hereafter be from mental Q!
physical disability. not the result OF
them for the performance of manual labor This
has been publicly advocated. and all men who
cared to know have been fully aware Of the ac-
tion, and yet until recently there has been heard
have changed their minds, the Grand Army need
not therefore change theirs. The path ia this
direction has been STRAIGHT. The order has di-
verged neither to the right nor to the left. Be-
cause the comrades need help tho Grand
Army will draw closer and closer to them.
Thov ahal1 NOT he the inmates of fha cnsnVnns